Colors and their Meaning

We sometimes forget about colors and their meaning – they not only symbolize different emotions but traditionally are used for certain events. Without further ado, let’s cut to the chase:

Red - is the color of fire and expresses emotion, excitement and passion in the form of energy, love, violence, war and aggression. The color red is certainly over stimulating.

Orange – stands for enthusiasm, vibrance and warmth. Unlike most colors there are few negative connotations.

Yellow – the color of the sun and thus joy, happiness, hope and summer. Ironically it is also the color of cowardice, sickness, deceit, betrayal and jealousy.

Green – is connected to nature and the environment – a color of health, luck, youth, spring and fertility. In dichotomy it also has an association with jealousy, envy and misfortune.

Blue – offers us peace and tranquility, a calming and cool color for this reason probably the most popular of colors. It also denotes depression and sadness. A conservative color of truth, loyalty and patience.

Purple – is associated with wealth, royalty and opulence. There is a magical calming effect and it is a favorite in the majority of children.

Grey – the powerful color of dignity, maturity, security, modesty and old age hence the term grey beard refering to the elderly.

Brown – this is often the other color of mother nature. A symbol of the earth and outdoors offering comfort, stability and simplicity in its enduring style.

White – this color presents us with many meanings focused on purity and innocence. A symbol of peace, humility, glory and beauty. A sign of winter.

Black - The actual absence of color and yet it is perhaps the strongest symbol of strength, power and evil. Black magic demonstrates a powerful message.  But black is more. Black is formal. Black is night and darkness. Black is anger, mourning and death.  Black is sexuality. This absence of color is powerful indeed.

So when choosing your colors, think about the image you want to protray. In different cultures the meanings will very. Some have a very distinct difference to what you may believe, so don’t assume it is appropriate if you are interacting with another culture find out about colors and their meaning first.